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As a part of my break from exercise, I’ve been pursuing activities that strengthen my mind and body connection and center me in a better place of clarity and calm. Yoga has been a great source for this and I am happy that over the past few weeks I’ve been able to renew my practice and really come back to my mat in the hopes of regaining some mental and physical stability. I’ve been attending classes at my favorite local studio and really loving the movement of my body as well as the messages I’m able to take away from each class. All the instructors are FANTASTIC and each has their own unique style and wisdom to share.
Here’s a few lessons I’ve taken away from my practice lately…
Less is more.
Yoga is one of the few places in life that really exemplifies the fact that LESS really is MORE. The instructors have helped me understand that yoga is not all about pushing yourself. Sure, you want to move outside of your comfort zone and challenge yourself…But in reality you get more benefits out of the poses by only going as far as your body will allow. It’s more important to keep good form rather than forcing yourself into a posture that is not yet allowable in your practice. For most of my life, when it comes to exercise, I’ve pushed myself past my limits thinking that that would make me stronger and give me a greater sense of accomplishment. Well, all that did was lead to burn out and my current relationship with exercise. So obviously that was not the right move.
Now, I’m relearning to listen to my body, take things easier, and not force things. Not only in regards to yoga moves, but in life in general, there is something to be said for really making sure you’re doing things the right and best way for your body. Instead of trying to meet someone else standards or compare your abilities, take into consideration the less is more mentality and accept where you are in the moment. Your journey and your progress is different from everyone elses.
Small adjustments make a world of difference.
It’s incredible what one simple tweak, tip, or adjustment can do for a yoga move. You may think you’re doing it the right way or are getting all the benefits you can out of it, but one simple suggestion from the instructor and your whole world is changed! It’s like a total realization…”thaaaat’s how it’s supposed to feel!”. And the same is true for life.
Good things in life don’t happen all it once. To make progress and to make positive growth we have to make small changes over time. And sometimes small changes are better in the long run than huge changes made from hasty decisions. If things seem overwhelming in your life, try focusing on changing one thing at a time. If you try to tackle too many things at once, life will seem tougher and your challenges will seem insurmountable. Just like small good deeds can make a difference in the world, small positive changes can make a difference in YOUR world.
Focus on one point in front of you.
This goes along with what I said above. Too often we are trying to juggle far too much, have too many racing thoughts, and thus get overwhelmed and anxiety ridden. When you feel yourself getting like this, literally take a moment to focus on one point in front of you. In yoga, it helps center you and helps you ‘find’ the pose. In life, it can bring you back to the present moment and remind you that no matter what, you’re here, right now, and you’re alive. Remembering that can get you back into your body, back in control of your mind, and better able to think through and rationalize what you’re stressing about. In a world that is always encouraging multitasking, it’s important to take time to slow down and really just learn to handle one thing at a time.
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I am learning immense amounts about the world, about my mind, and about my body each day in my yoga classes. This is just a small sampling of some things I’ve taken away.
Every practice gives me something new to work, some new challenge to take on. Somedays a certain pose is easy and sometimes it’s hard. But that’s why I am loving it so much. Each day on my mat is different.
And I love the community atmosphere of each class. It’s one place where I feel like people are together without judgement or criticism of each other. Every one is just working through their own journey and focused on their own growth and progress. Just as in life, everyone has their own strengths as weaknesses. What may be easy for me, may be impossible for someone else and vice versa. It’s so humbling to fall out of a pose and have to recenter and refocus yourself. It let’s you know you’re human and that there is room for improvement in every aspect of life.
Yoga is helping me see that all I really need, all I’m looking for and searching for, is right inside of me. In the grand scheme of things, material things don’t matter, what we look like doesn’t matter, and all the superficial components of life DON’T MATTER. If you can remember to breathe, remember to connect back with your breathe in any times of stress of panic….then you’re pretty much golden. That reminder that you’re here, alive in the moment, can get you through anything. Seriously, knowing that and applying it in my own life is helping me SO MUCH with my anxiety.
It feels so good to be moving my body in this new way and every class I go to I leave with a wide smile on my face that can’t be wiped off for hours afterwards. I am feeling a high that I once felt (but had since lost) after working out….but now the high is coming from mental strength and stability, not physically energy depletion and overuse.
I can’t wait to continue to deepen my practice and continue to heal my relationship with activity. I will be talking a lot more about yoga over the coming weeks, so stay tuned if you like these sorts of posts!
Are you a yoga fan?
Do you feel like things that have to do with fitness can be applied to everyday life?
Kaila
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38 responses to “What Yoga Is Teaching Me About Life”
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Yay so happy to read this post! Your rest challenge is really turning into something great. I can tell you are getting stronger from this most certainly 🙂 My favorite part of this post was “It’s so humbling to fall out of a pose and have to recenter and refocus yourself. It let’s you know you’re human and that there is room for improvement in every aspect of life.”<—- That is how I see it :). Happy Thursday!
Thanks Gabi! I really am learning a lot!
Great that you are taking care and enjoying yoga! I love yoga and walking for my down time from cardio.
I think lessons from yoga and running can definitely be applied to real life!
Walking and yoga are my LIFE right now! 🙂
I love, “When all else fails, return to your breath.” What a great quote.
Thanks Erin!
I love my yoga practice! I definitely think the lessons we learn from fitness & athletics teach us a tremendous amount about life. Being a part of something structured and regimented is a wonderful tool in teaching about commitment and accountability. Some of my first fitness lessons occurred when I was in Junior High school and those teachings still resonate with me today.
Fitness and movement definitely have a lot to teach us in life!
Right on and absolutely, lessons from the road can be applied to life. I think that is what my whole entire blog is about! See my post on hills from Tuesday, for sure.
I will check that out!
i loooove yoga. it’s so balancing and even at times when i don’t feel like doing it, i simply just have to get on the mat and challenge my mentality to go through the practice.
and it never fails to make me feel good! the simple lessons we learn…
So true! I learn so much on my mat!
I love yoga and really should do it more. I also love the community aspect of it and how a yoga class is a judgement free zone. You are encouraged to only do what you can and there’s no problem if you need to modify or even skip a pose all together.
Yes! It’s such an empowering environment!
What a well thought out post. I love how you made the connection from yoga moves to real life. Everything you said resonated with me!
Thank you Jen! Happy you could relate!
Beautiful post! I discovered yoga during a running injury and it turned out to be the best thing. Glad you’re enjoying it!
Thank you Emily! Happy you were able to find the joy in yoga too!
I have been loving yoga lately but only have time for it on Sundays. It is a hot hatha yoga class and I always walk away feeling phenomenal. I’m so glad you are enjoying so much of your yoga!
That sounds like an awesome class! Yoga is something I didn’t make a lot of time for in the past, but now that I am, it’s making such a difference!
I have never tried yoga. Look forward to my first class next week at FitBloggin!!
YOU WILL LOVE IT!
I have a couple days of vacation next week and afterwards, I will be back to my yoga routine of classes once a week. I need it!
I have to say that I also miss Zen meditation, but it is not realistic dreaming that I will have time for it.
It is great to read about your experience!
Thank you Debbie! I am sure you’ll be loving getting back to your practice next week!
Yoga has taught me so many lessons. I’m amazed at how I can apply it to my daily life, my parenting, my running, my work….everything. It’s the best!
I agree! So many aspects of life that it can help with!
Yoga has taught me a lot of the same lessons and more! I can’t imagine my week without it.
Love, when all else fails return to your breath.
That’s exactly how I’m feeling about it!
Amen, sista! I never thought yoga was a “real” form of exercise (what was I thinking?!), but after taking a couple months off of exercise, I really learned to love yoga too!
It’s seriously the best! So nourishing for my mind AND body!
i do enjoy yoga – now i need to find a mommy & me yoga class!
I absolutely am a huge fan of yoga! These are wonderful lessons we’d all do well to remember! Fitness lessons and life lessons go hand-in-hand for me so yes!!
I loved this post. I am a recent yoga ambassador (in my own mind). I find that I’m more fit than ever before. It has also helped me find more zen in my life.
Yoga I say saved my life. I have been practicing for almost three years and it has added such greatness to my life I can’t stop talking to others about it. Yoga is the combination of so many things needed in life for clarify and peace I love my practice!!!!
I have a feeling it’s going to make a great positive impact in my life as well! It already has! 🙂
I wish I were more mature to do Yoga. I actually wrote a post on why I CAN’T do it. It sounds pleasant though.
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